Women characters are very important in Oliver Twist, such as Mrs. Mann, Nancy and Rose. Mrs. Mann represents the cruelty to and exploitation of poor orphans. She is more of a caricature than a character, but her presence is intended to horrify readers and bring sympathy for Oliver. Rose Maylie is a woman of good breeding and social class. She is kind, gentle and supportive of Oliver. She is not well-developed, but she serves as a representative of people who are kind to those in need, including orphans.

Nancy is one of the most significant characters in the book. Nancy is a prostitute who befriends and pities Oliver. She works against Bill and Fagin to reveal Oliver's parentage to Brownlow and save Oliver from a life of crime. She also directly intervenes on Oliver's behalf, to save him from a beating and to attempt to prevent his kidnapping. Nancy risks her life because she realizes that Oliver is better than the life he is leading, and she rescues him and returns to him his birthright- a life as a gentleman.